Canberra’s bid to become the sixth team in the newly formed Australian Baseball League (ABL) has been given a boost today, announcing the Rolfe Motor Group as pledging their corporate support for the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid.

Headed by prominent Canberra businessman, Richard Rolfe, the family owned business has been part of the Canberra landscape for almost thirty years. The Rolfe Motor Group already supports many of Canberra’s sporting teams and charitable events.

Dealer Principal, Richard Rolfe, says that an association with Canberra’s proposed ABL team was an opportunity the Rolfe Motor Group did not want to pass up.

“Baseball is an emerging sport in the ACT region and we are proud to associate ourselves with a proposed team for Canberra,” Mr. Rolfe said.

“The model behind the ABL team in Canberra has all their bases covered in providing a low cost, exciting sport in a family friendly atmosphere. These values fit very well with the Rolfe Motor Group and our association with the team will continue to promote that.”

The ABL has set the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid the challenge of securing $100,000 per annum over three years in corporate pledges in addition to the task of gaining 5,000 x $20 pledges of support from the Canberra community.

ACT Baseball President, Theo Vassalakis, welcomes the support from Rolfe Motor Group and urges other Canberra business’ to get behind the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid.

“The Rolfe Motor Group name is synonymous with Canberra and we are delighted with their support for Canberra’s team in the ABL,” Vassalakis Said.

“Canberra’s ABL team will not be competing against big budget franchises like the Brumbies and the Raiders. The ABL provides low cost, national and international exposure through its Major League Baseball backing.”

“We look forward to hopefully building more corporate partnerships with local, national and international companies as our bid reaches its final stages.” Vassalakis said.

Tuggeranong Vikings Under 17's pitcher Caleb Albrecht is set to represent Australia

Local player’s Caleb Albrecht and Kyle Perkins have been selected to represent Australia during the upcoming Australian Under 17 Schoolboy tour of the United States.

The boys were selected for the Australian team after participating in the recently held National Schoolboys Tournament held recently here in Canberra.

The ACTAS representatives will be heading off on a twenty three day tour that will include stops in Oregon, California and Arizona.

Caleb and Kyle are prime examples of the baseball talent the ACT region produces, with both men sure to represent Canberra in the Australian Baseball League should the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid be successful.

ACT Baseball Association and the entire baseball community congratulate the boys on their selection and wish them the best of luck for their trip.

Six MLA's pledge their support for the 'Let's do it Canberra' bid

 The ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid has once again secured the support of high profile locals with Members of the Legislative Assembly pledging their $20 in support of Canberra’s bid to join the Australian Baseball League (ABL).

Representatives from each party today pledged their support for Canberra to compete in the newly formed ABL, joining Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in the inaugural season, due to begin November 2010.

ACT Greens MLA and House Speaker, Shane Rattenbury, says that Canberra’s invitation to join the ABL indicates the emergence of baseball throughout the region.

 ”Baseball is a growing sport in our region and this invitation will only serve to increase the numbers of participants”, Mr Rattenbury said.

“Canberra has already produced some great young players that now compete overseas. If the bid is successful all Canberrans will be able to see these players as well as future stars represent Canberra on the national stage”.

ACT Baseball Association President, Theo Vassalakis, says that securing the support of the MLA’s is indicative of the support the bid has received from the community but urges everyone to follow the lead of the MLA’s and pledge their $20.

“The ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid has gained a lot of momentum over the past month and a half with widespread community support” Vassalakis said.

“However we need to convert this support into $20 pledges”.

“Support for the bid will only take us so far and we urge everyone to take action and pledge their $20″, Vassalakis said.

The ABL set the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid a target of 5,000, $20 pledges in addition to $100,000 in corporate sponsorship per annum over three years.

These criteria must be met by the end of September in order for Canberra to qualify for the ABL.

Kids of all ages enjoyed the sunshine whilst having a hit hit the ACT Academy of Sport representatives

The ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ weekend activities have been labeled a great success after events at both the Eastlake Community Fete and the ‘Try Baseball’ day Curtain Oval experiencing high levels of participants.

With ACT Academy of Sport representatives on hand, paricipation at the Eastlake Community Fete was nothing short of spectacular with hundreds of children getting out in the sunshine with many trying baseball for the first time.

Record numbers of participants also made their way down to Curtain Oval for the first ‘Try Baseball’ day before the season kicks off. Approximately one hundred children enjoyed a free BBQ as they took part in baseball activities over two hours, once again many playing baseball for the first time.

ACT Baseball Association President, Theo Vassalakis says that the participation rates of the two events is indicative of the rise in popularity that baseball has seen off the back of the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid.

“Baseball has been on the rise in the region over the last few years but with the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid really getting the word out we’ve seen a big rise in registrations this year.”

Theo says the rise in registrations for the upcoming season will provide the game with a healthy base for the future.

“You never know what will happen with some of these young players,” Theo said.

“Hopefully we can see a few of them representing Canberra in an Australian Baseball League team”.

Head down to Eastlake Community Fete and support local chartiy Pegasis

Eastlake Football Club will tomorrow (Saturday) host their inaugural community fete with proceeds going towards Pegasus and the upkeep of the Eastlake football program.

A range of exciting activities and stalls will be on offer including home baked goods, Canberra Milk van, goal kicking and handball competitions, sponge throwing, mini golf, arts and crafts, trash and treasure, face painting, jumping castle, baseball and cricket activities, wine tasting, prize wheel, fire truck, novelty races, massage, BBQ and freshly brewed coffee, also included is the Pegasus Smiley tent, where volunteers are encouraged to join the team.

Pegasus is located at Pegasus Farm on the outskirts of Canberra. About 100 riders with a disability ride at Pegasus each week and about 100 volunteers assist with the operation of programs. Pegasus’ sporting, recreational and therapeutic programs provide physical, social and educational benefits for people with a disability.

Eastlake Football Club is a committed supporter of Pegasus, having already contributed support for the further enhancement of the Pegasus volunteer program.

Anthony Ratcliffe, Eastlake CEO, says the club is pleased to be involved with another great initiative in support of Pegasus.

“Pegasus is an incredible organisation that provides equestrian activities for people with a disability”, Ratcliffe said. “Eastlake is looking forward to what promises to be an exciting day at our first Community Fete, not only will it be a great day out for families but will raise much needed funds for charity.”

Simone Doherty, Acting Pegasus Executive Officer, says the support from Eastlake will make a big difference to the farm. “Pegasus is a not for profit organisation and all contributions are very much appreciated”, Doherty said. “Eastlake have been generous supporters of Pegasus for some time now and we are so grateful, because without it we would not be able to provide the services we do for our riders.”

The inaugural Eastlake Community Fete will be held tomorrow (Saturday 19 September) at Kingston Oval between 11:00am-3:00pm.

Junior players will have two chances this weekend to get involved in "Let's do it Canberra" acitivities

The “Let’s do it Canberra” team will be out and about this weekend with two big events planned that will appeal to people of all ages.

The “Let’s do it Canberra” team will be front and center at the first annual Eastlake Football Club Community Fete from 11-3, Kingston Oval,Corner of Canberra Av and Dawes St , Kingston.

The “Let’s do it Canberra” stall will feature an inflatable batting cage where children of all ages can jump in and try their hand in our ‘home run derby.’

Great prizes and giveaways will be on offer so don’t miss out on testing your skill and seeing if you’re Canberra’s next big slugger.

Rebels Baseball Club will be holding their first ‘Try Baseball’ day for the year at North Curtain Oval from 10-12.

‘Try Baseball’ days allow all interested juniors to participate in baseball activities of all types in a free, safe and fun environment without having to register with a local club.

There will be a free BBQ and drinks for any child who participates so head on down and enjoy a fun morning out in the fresh air.

With only two weeks left in Canberra’s bid to become the sixth team in the Australian Baseball League, now is the time to pledge your $20 to support the bid.

The “Let’s do it Canberra” bid has been set the challenge of gaining 5,000, $20 pledges of support from the local community. We must reach our target if we are to have any chance of reaching our goal of participating in the ABL in November, 2010.

ACT's first ever Women's representative team heads to the NSW Country Championships in October

The first ever ACT’s Women’s Representative Baseball team was today announced ahead of the NSW Country Championships, October 3-5 in the Illawarra Region.

This is an exciting prospect for ACT Baseball and its expanding Women’s program and is seen as the first step toward its ultimate goal of participating in the Australian National Women’s Championships.

The announcement of the inaugural ACT Women’s team coincides with the ACT Baseball Association’s ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid to join the Australian Baseball League (ABL), and further shows the strength of baseball within the region.

ACT Women’s representative, Eliza Russell says that this is the most exciting period of her short baseball career.

“This is a very exciting time for baseball in the ACT,” Eliza said.

“The ACT baseball community is quite small but everyone is excited about the Women’s team and the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid.”

ACT Baseball Association President, Theo Vassalakis says that baseball within the region is gaining momentum and urges the Canberra community to support the first ever women’s representative team and the “Let’s do it Canberra” bid.

“Between our ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid to join the ABL and the first ever Women’s representative team, this is an important time for baseball in the region,” He said.

“To see a woman’s team representing the ACT for the first time shows how far the game in the region has come over recent years

“Pledging $20 in support of the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid is not just a pledge for a team in the ABL, it’s a pledge for all baseball in the region.”

The ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid must obtain 5,000, $20 pledges of support in addition to $100,000 per annum over three years in corporate support.

Australia has secured a place in the 2nd round of the 2009 Baseball World Cup by defeating the Czech Republic, Netherlands Antilles and Chinese Taipei as their campaign got underway before going down to Mexico in a battle Group A honours.

Australia were quick to dispose of the Czech Republic and Netherlands Antilles in emphatic style, beating them 17-4 and 19-6 respectivelly.

With qualification to the second round on offer, Australia was to come up against Chinese Taipei.

In a hard fought tussle that could have gone to either team, Australia come out on top against their long time arch rivals 7-5.

Victory against Chinese Taipei meant that Sunday’s game against Mexico would be played for little more than Group A  bragging rights as both teams had already made it to the second stage of the competition.

Despite giving Mexico a five run head start, the Aussies fought back hard to fall just one run short in what was a fantastic arm wrestle against the Central American powerhouse.

Australia’s campaign now moves to Parma, Italy, where they will join Italy, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles and U.S.A. in the second stages of the 2009 World Cup Competition.

Stay tuned for further updates as the World Cup progresses.

Senators Lundy and Humphries pledge their $20 in support of the "Let's do it Canberra" bid

Senators Kate Lundy and Gary Humphries have pledged their support for the “Let’s do it Canberra” bid to join the inaugural season of the Australian Baseball League (ABL), beginning November 2010.

As part of the bid, “Let’s do it Canberra” must obtain 5,000, $20 pledges of support from the Canberra community in addition to raising $100,000 per annum in sponsorship over three years.

Senator Lundy said she was delighted to pledge her $20 in support of the “Let’s do it Canberra” bid and urges all Canberrans to do the same.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to see Canberra compete on the national stage,” Senator Lundy said, adding,

“Having Major League Baseball backing will give the league real credibility world-wide and help raise Canberra’s profile on an international level.”

Senator Humphries said that having a team in the ABL would give Canberra the opportunity to see its best local players in action.

“Canberra has produced many elite baseball players and it would be fantastic to see them represent their home town at a national level,” Humphries said.

“I urge all Canberrans to join with Kate and I and get behind the bid; this is a great opportunity for our local community to showcase ourselves on a national stage.”

ACT Baseball President Theo Vassalakis said gaining support from Senators Lundy and Humphries shows the significance of the opportunity that lies on Canberra’s doorstep.

“For Canberra to compete in the Australian Baseball League will be a dream come true for so many of our younger players,” Vassalakis said.

“We should not deny our current juniors and future generations the opportunity to represent their home town at the highest level possible.

“We can’t rely on the baseball community alone, for us to be successful we need the entire community get behind the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid,” Theo concluded.

Canberra’s own Kevin and Julie Mann took time out from their North American holiday to send the “Let’s do it Canberra” team a few photo’s.

Kevin and Julie traveled to Citi Field to see their beloved New York Mets take on the Chicago Cubs last Friday night.

In a thrilling game, the home team came out eventual 6-3 winners in a result that left the Aussie couple delighted.

The “Let’s do it Canberra” bid would like to thank Kevin and Julie for their support and wish them a happy and safe trip.

If you have any photo’s of yourself or anyone you know wearing a “Let’s do it Canberra” shirt, drop us a line and we’ll do our best to feature you on this website.